Sideline Stories: Ted Hart

Hockey has been a significant part of my life for nearly 20 years. Ever since I learned to skate, my schedule has revolved around opportunities to play hockey. It has introduced me to my best friends, opened the doors to great schools, and taught me lessons of commitment and discipline that I will use for the rest of my life. While the sport has become more challenging as I’ve progressed in my career, it has never ceased to be the fun game that I enjoyed so much as a kid. The main reason I’ve continued to love the game stems from the environment in which I was born. Hockey is just as big a part of my family’s life as it is my own.

My parents met at Bowdoin College, where my dad played hockey and my mom ran track, so it isn’t too surprising my brothers and I picked up sports at young ages. My oldest brother, Kevin, began ice skating at three years old on the rink my dad built in our backyard. Brian, my middle brother, started skating only a couple of years later, so when it was my turn, there was no doubt hockey would be a part of my future. Because of this, my love for hockey never felt forced. We wanted to compete and have fun with each other, so pond hockey and street hockey were the natural ways of doing just that. When we played youth hockey for Casco Bay, our dad was usually our coach, and our mom was watching in the stands. Our family continued to become more involved in hockey, and, since we can enjoy it together, the sport has become even more fun.

It has been six years since I left Greely High School and played hockey in Maine. I’m very excited to be back in Portland and have the opportunity to play for the Maine Mariners. Playing my first professional game in front of my friends and family will be a special feeling!